Relation between Obstructive Sleep Apnea-Hypopnea Syndrome and Glaucoma in a Sub-Saharan African Population

Christelle Domngang,Kapche Diane,Mekieje Tumchou Pamela,Nanfack Chantal,Kagmeni Giles,Ngambi Ferdinand,Menanga Alain Parick

doi:10.4236/ojoph.2021.113015

Christelle Domngang, Kapche Diane + Show 5 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.4236/ojoph.2021.113015

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Abstract

Introduction: Obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) is a frequent pathology worldwide whose main mechanism is a complete or partial obstruction of the upper airway. One of the pathophysiological mechanisms described in primary open-angle glaucoma is that hypoxia in the optic nerve progressively destroys the retinal cells leading to the onset and/or aggravation of glaucoma. The aim of the study was to evaluate the risk of OSA in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma. Methodology: An analytical study was conducted from January to May 2020 at the UHC. After obtaining ethical clearance, 112 patients including 50 glaucoma patients (44.64%) and 62 in the control group were enrolled. Sociodemographic and clinical data were collected from the medical records of the participants, with or without glaucoma, and a questionnaire was administered and a clinical examination performed. The STOP BANG score was used to determine the risk level of OSAHS. Statistical analyses were performed using Epi Info version 7.2. Results: A female predominance was found (60%) in the glaucoma group with a mean age of 55 ± 17 years against 49 ± 18 years in the control group. The high risk of OSAHS was more associated with glaucoma patients. In glaucoma patients, an association was found between high risk of OSAHS and snoring (OR = [1.43 - 849.53]; p = 0.029) as well as insomnia (OR = [1.36 - 482.86]; p = 0.030). Conclusion: High risk of OSAHS was found in participants with chronic open-angle glaucoma. Signs of OSAHS should be sought in chronic open-angle glaucoma as it may be a factor in its progression.

Highlights

Obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) is a frequent pathology worldwide whose main mechanism is a complete or partial obstruction of the upper airway
Ophthalmological findings The median of the visual field values found was for the median deviation (MD) at 2.1 dB [Interquantiles: 0.7 - 5.2; extremes: 0.06 - 23.50] in the right eye and 2.7 dB [Interquantiles: 0.9 - 8.6; extremes: 0.13 - 29.05] in the left eye
In sub-Saharan Africa, glaucoma is predominantly detected in people over 40 years of age [2], with age over 40 years recognized as a risk factor for glaucoma

Summary

Introduction

Obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) is a frequent pathology worldwide whose main mechanism is a complete or partial obstruction of the upper airway. The aim of the study was to evaluate the risk of OSA in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma. The high risk of OSAHS was more associated with glaucoma patients. An association was found between high risk of OSAHS and snoring (OR = [1.43 - 849.53]; p = 0.029) as well as insomnia (OR = [1.36 - 482.86]; p = 0.030). Conclusion: High risk of OSAHS was found in participants with chronic open-angle glaucoma. OSAHS is a common condition worldwide [14] which first reports dated back to 1976, according to Guillemault [15] At the beginning, it was described as Pickwik’s syndrome in obese people [16].

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